Selected Papers from the 3rd International Electronic Conference on Nutrients—Precision Nutrition and Nutrigenomics

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 November 2024 | Viewed by 5096

Special Issue Editors

Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Nutrition, and Biotechnology (Nutrigenomics, Biomarkers, and Risk Evaluation Research Group), University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), 07122 Palma, Spain
Interests: obesity; molecular nutrition; nutrigenomics; vitamin A; food bioactives
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
1. Section of Physiology, Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
2. Nutrition and Food Safety Research Institute (INSA), 08921 Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Spain
Interests: immunonutrition; flavonoids; microbiota; oligosaccharides; probiotics; breast milk
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue comprises selected papers from the Proceedings of the Third International Electronic Conference—Precision Nutrition and Nutrigenomics. The conference will be held from 1 to 15 November 2023 on sciforum.net, an online platform for hosting scholarly e-conferences and discussion groups. Selected extended papers from this e-conference can be submitted to the conference Special Issue with a 20% discount on the article processing charge.

Precision nutrition, a novel individualized approach, considers the genetic and epigenetic information as well as age, gender, lifestyle, gut microbiota, and health status conditions to design the best dietary approaches for an individual in order to achieve optimal health and ageing, disease prevention and improved exercise performance. This Special Issue will provide updated information and novel findings on the role of epigenetics, genetic polymorphisms and the microbiota in precision nutrition, as well as the use of “omics” as necessary tools to discover unsuspected interactions and interpret the information.

Prof. Dr. Maria Luz Fernandez
Prof. Dr. M. Luisa Bonet
Prof. Dr. Francisco J. Pérez-Cano
Guest Editors

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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23 pages, 3477 KiB  
Article
Targets and Effects of Common Biocompounds of Hibiscus sabdariffa (Delphinidin-3-Sambubiosid, Quercetin, and Hibiscus Acid) in Different Pathways of Human Cells According to a Bioinformatic Assay
by Sergio R. Zúñiga-Hernández, Trinidad García-Iglesias, Monserrat Macías-Carballo, Alejandro Pérez-Larios, Yanet Karina Gutiérrez-Mercado, Gabriela Camargo-Hernández and Christian Martin Rodríguez-Razón
Nutrients 2024, 16(4), 566; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16040566 - 19 Feb 2024
Viewed by 781
Abstract
The utilization of food as a therapeutic measure for various ailments has been a prevalent practice throughout history and across different cultures. This is exemplified in societies where substances like Hibiscus sabdariffa have been employed to manage health conditions like hypertension and elevated [...] Read more.
The utilization of food as a therapeutic measure for various ailments has been a prevalent practice throughout history and across different cultures. This is exemplified in societies where substances like Hibiscus sabdariffa have been employed to manage health conditions like hypertension and elevated blood glucose levels. The inherent bioactive compounds found in this plant, namely, delphinidin-3-sambubioside (DS3), quercetin (QRC), and hibiscus acid (HA), have been linked to various health benefits. Despite receiving individual attention, the specific molecular targets for these compounds remain unclear. In this study, computational analysis was conducted using bioinformatics tools such as Swiss Target Prediction, ShinnyGo 0.77, KEGG, and Stringdb to identify the molecular targets, pathways, and hub genes. Supplementary results were obtained through a thorough literature search in PubMed. DS3 analysis revealed potential genetic alterations related to the metabolism of nitrogen and glucose, inflammation, angiogenesis, and cell proliferation, particularly impacting the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. QRC analysis demonstrated interconnected targets spanning multiple pathways, with some overlap with DS3 analysis and a particular focus on pathways related to cancer. HA analysis revealed distinct targets, especially those associated with pathways related to the nervous system. These findings emphasize the necessity for focused research on the molecular effects of DS3, QRC, and HA, thereby providing valuable insights into potential therapeutic pathways. Full article
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22 pages, 1992 KiB  
Article
A Predictive Tool Based on DNA Methylation Data for Personalized Weight Loss through Different Dietary Strategies: A Pilot Study
by Nereyda Carolina García-Álvarez, José Ignacio Riezu-Boj, J. Alfredo Martínez, Sonia García-Calzón and Fermín I. Milagro
Nutrients 2023, 15(24), 5023; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15245023 - 06 Dec 2023
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Abstract
Background and aims: Obesity is a public health problem. The usual treatment is a reduction in calorie intake and an increase in energy expenditure, but not all individuals respond equally to these treatments. Epigenetics could be a factor that contributes to this heterogeneity. [...] Read more.
Background and aims: Obesity is a public health problem. The usual treatment is a reduction in calorie intake and an increase in energy expenditure, but not all individuals respond equally to these treatments. Epigenetics could be a factor that contributes to this heterogeneity. The aim of this research was to determine the association between DNA methylation at baseline and the percentage of BMI loss (%BMIL) after two dietary interventions, in order to design a prediction model to evaluate %BMIL based on methylation data. Methods and Results: Spanish participants with overweight or obesity (n = 306) were randomly assigned to two lifestyle interventions with hypocaloric diets: one moderately high in protein (MHP) and the other low in fat (LF) for 4 months (Obekit study; ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02737267). Basal DNA methylation was analyzed in white blood cells using the Infinium MethylationEPIC array. After identifying those methylation sites associated with %BMIL (p < 0.05 and SD > 0.1), two weighted methylation sub-scores were constructed for each diet: 15 CpGs were used for the MHP diet and 11 CpGs for the LF diet. Afterwards, a total methylation score was made by subtracting the previous sub-scores. These data were used to design a prediction model for %BMIL through a linear mixed effect model with the interaction between diet and total score. Conclusion: Overall, DNA methylation predicts the %BMIL of two 4-month hypocaloric diets and was able to determine which type of diet is the most appropriate for each individual. The results of this pioneer study confirm that epigenetic biomarkers may be further used for precision nutrition and the design of personalized dietary strategies against obesity. Full article
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Review

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25 pages, 5464 KiB  
Review
Human Nutrition Research in the Data Era: Results of 11 Reports on the Effects of a Multiple-Micronutrient-Intervention Study
by Jim Kaput and Jacqueline Pontes Monteiro
Nutrients 2024, 16(2), 188; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16020188 - 05 Jan 2024
Viewed by 1265
Abstract
Large datasets have been used in molecular and genetic research for decades, but only a few studies have included nutrition and lifestyle factors. Our team conducted an n-of-1 intervention with 12 vitamins and five minerals in 9- to 13-year-old Brazilian children and teens [...] Read more.
Large datasets have been used in molecular and genetic research for decades, but only a few studies have included nutrition and lifestyle factors. Our team conducted an n-of-1 intervention with 12 vitamins and five minerals in 9- to 13-year-old Brazilian children and teens with poor healthy-eating indices. A unique feature of the experimental design was the inclusion of a replication arm. Twenty-six types of data were acquired including clinical measures, whole-genome mapping, whole-exome sequencing, and proteomic and a variety of metabolomic measurements over two years. A goal of this study was to use these diverse data sets to discover previously undetected physiological effects associated with a poor diet that include a more complete micronutrient composition. We summarize the key findings of 11 reports from this study that (i) found that LDL and total cholesterol and fasting glucose decreased in the population after the intervention but with inter-individual variation; (ii) associated a polygenic risk score that predicted baseline vitamin B12 levels; (iii) identified metabotypes linking diet intake, genetic makeup, and metabolic physiology; (iv) found multiple biomarkers for nutrient and food groups; and (v) discovered metabolites and proteins that are associated with DNA damage. This summary also highlights the limitations and lessons in analyzing diverse omic data. Full article
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Other

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31 pages, 1604 KiB  
Systematic Review
The Impact of Diet on miRNA Regulation and Its Implications for Health: A Systematic Review
by María DeLucas, Juana Sánchez, Andreu Palou and Francisca Serra
Nutrients 2024, 16(6), 770; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16060770 - 07 Mar 2024
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Abstract
The evidence suggests that diet can modulate endogenous microRNA (miRNA) expression. Changes in miRNA expression may affect metabolic processes and consequently be involved in health status and disease development. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the evidence of the role [...] Read more.
The evidence suggests that diet can modulate endogenous microRNA (miRNA) expression. Changes in miRNA expression may affect metabolic processes and consequently be involved in health status and disease development. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the evidence of the role of diet and specific food components in the regulation of miRNA expression and discuss its implications for human health and disease development. The PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases were searched in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines for relevant studies. A total of 32 interventional and 5 observational studies performed in adults and evaluating dietary modulation of miRNA expression were included. Energy- and fat-controlled diets along with plant-based foods show substantial evidence of modulating endogenous miRNA levels. Plasma, serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are the main sources used to measure miRNAs. A total of 108 miRNAs modulated by diet were identified. We confirmed that dietary habits are closely associated with the modulation of endogenous miRNAs. Particularly, energy content and fat intake appeared to be key factors influencing miRNA levels. Furthermore, since miRNAs are involved in the regulation of several biological processes, this modulatory process may affect health status and lead to metabolic disorders. Full article
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